Previews and predictions for Saturday's college games

November 16, 2012

Saturday's games

VIRGINIA TECH (4-6, 2-4 ACC) AT BOSTON COLLEGE (2-8, 1-5)

WHEN: 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

THE BUZZ: Tech has lost two of its last three trips to BC, and while the Hokies are struggling through their worst season in 20 years, they haven't faced an Eagles team quite this undermanned. BC has just one win against a Bowl Subdivision opponent this season. With the Eagles surrendering 229.4 rushing yards per game (116th in the nation), the Hokies finally may be able to establish their running game behind backs J.C. Coleman and Tony Gregory.

THE BUZZ: Major implications in the last meeting between rival schools for a while. ODU seeks a playoff seed and home games, while the Dukes are fighting for their playoff lives. The Monarchs have been as resourceful — Taylor Heinicke, anyone? — as JMU has been inconsistent. Expect a superior effort from JMU, which was lacking last week, but it's uncertain which Justin Thorpe we'll see at quarterback.

PREDICTION: ODU 37-30.

RICHMOND (7-3, 5-2 CAA) AT WILLIAM AND MARY (2-8, 1-6)

WHEN: 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Zable Stadium, Williamsburg.

THE BUZZ: Richmond has playoff aspirations, while the Tribe aims to play spoiler in one of the nation's oldest rivalries. The Tribe leads the series 61-55-5, including last season's 25-22 win at UR on a TD pass with two seconds left. The Spiders lead the nation in turnover margin (plus-20), with a remarkable 23 interceptions. Expect it to be close, because the Tribe has played nearly everyone close.

PREDICTION: Richmond 27-24.

HAMPTON (2-7, 2-5 MEAC) AT MORGAN STATE (3-7, 2-5)

WHEN: 1 p.m.

WHERE: Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, Md.

THE BUZZ: Two teams conclude disappointing seasons in front of dozens in Charm City. The Pirates have lost the past two, Morgan State the past five after a promising start. Both teams are competitive when they don't make mistakes, which isn't often. HU is dead last in the nation in turnover margin (minus-19), but has a quality back in MEAC leading rusher Jonathan Schwartz (930 yards).

PREDICTION: Hampton 23-20.

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (6-4) AT MOUNT UNION (10-0)

WHEN: Noon.

WHERE: Mount Union Stadium, Alliance, Ohio.

THE BUZZ: The Captains face Division III football royalty — 10 national titles, 22 unbeaten regular seasons, 73-13 NCAA playoff record, No. 1 in the country, 64 consecutive home wins. The Purple Raiders have outscored opponents 517-45, while CNU backed into the playoffs after a season-ending loss. And how motivated is a Mount Union team that's lost the past three national championship games?